Mishka Shubaly

I don't know if it was my download, but there was a huge jump from his drug use to running without any type of transition. At one point he is writing about drugs and the next page his aunt is buying him sneakers and he is running Ultra Marathons without a how or why.

A good, quick, and interesting read. Inspiring how this man went from super heavy drug use to super heavy running. I just wish it was fleshed out more.

I did worry when he wrote that he does miss drinking because it was fun- honest, yes, but is it a good message?

Free on Kindle Prime, so try it. I paid .99 and it was worth it.… (más)

Inspiring/Enlightening account of someone's direct path to sobriety. The author is a musician and author who had been an alcoholic for a long time, and it seems like drinking culture was part of his identity, but at some point he realized it made his life worse, so he cold turkey stopped, with only a one-weekend relapse, and has been sober for a decade. While I'm not an alcoholic, he did a great job of explaining what alcohol dependence is like and the benefits of the direct path to sobriety, in favor of many people's belief that programs like AA are the only way (although they're fine if they work for you). Somehow it managed to be entertaining as well; definitely one of the best free Audible books.… (más)

A Mixed Bag
Review of the Audible Original audiobook edition (April 30, 2020)
TW = Foul language throughout, explicit sexual references, explicit self-degradation.

Overall you have to cheer the author for 10 years of sobriety, although this seems like the most bare bones how-to book on curing yourself of an addiction. For about the first two hours (of a total 4 & 1/2) you have to listen to stories how low he sank before finally beating his own problem. This is accompanied by a constant put down of Alcoholics Anonymous' 12-Steps, mostly based on a dismissal of their "surrendering to a higher power" mantra. Meanwhile, Shubaly has his own higher power of what sounds like a brutal running regime (62 miles in one day was one of the milestones that I seem to remember) and obsessive/compulsive food purity to worship at. Towards the end, he lets slip that he still indulges in other methods of getting high such as cannabis and hallucinogens. Ok buddy, whatever you want to believe about what keeping sober means.

Shubaly's own 5-steps were summed up (after about the 2 hour mark) as:
1. Cut the bullshit (i.e. stop believing the lies you tell yourself)
2. Set a quit date and stick to it.
3. Get mental clarity i.e. focus on your plan
4. Do not go out with a bang (dial your consumption back)
5. Set achievable goals.
These all seem to be reasonable tips and again I applaud the author for overcoming some of his own demons. Personally I may not be qualified to judge any further on this topic, but I did quit smoking 21 years ago and yes it was "cold turkey," so I cheer anything that works for anyone else.

The gravelly, somewhat ravaged, voice of the author was especially appropriate for the topic.

Cold Turkey was one of the 10 free Audible Original audiobooks for members in the month of May 2020, after which it will revert to a standard price. It is available to everyone for a standard price throughout.… (más)